Could this be the Ultimate Drive? - Joyo Ultimate Drive - No Talk, All Tone

[@AndrewLewisHowe]

I have a version 1.2 OCD, and my Ult Drive almost nails it exactly. The Ult Drives were modeled after the earlier OCDs (pre output buffer), and sound more like versions 1.1 and 1.2 than the later sub-versions. A PCB error led to most of the Ult Drives having one of the clipping diodes installed wrong, causing the pedal to give asymmetrical clipping instead of the desired symmetrical clipping (you can flip the diode and fix it). The Ult Drive takes 18volts, but also lacks an output buffer, so just like the early OCDs, it doesn't play well in some pedal chains. For a smaller version of this pedal, with the diode problem fixed in production, get the Kmise mini Ultimate Drive.

[@BudgetPedalChap]

Good shout my man, I'll have to check it out. Cheers for the info

[@FretLevelMidnight]

Do you know if the Kmise Ultimate Drive has the pot issue fixed as well, and does it just take a 9v connection? Is it also a direct part for part clone of the OCD as the Ultimate Drive is (supposedly)?

[@AndrewLewisHowe]

@@FretLevelMidnight I wasn't aware of any pot issue. BUT, they did fix the clipping diode error the Joyo Ult Drive has (one was reversed so the clipping is asymmetric). The Kmise runs fine on 18V. It sounds just like the Joyo version, but with symmetrical clipping. The closest thing to a clone that sounds like my OCD v1.2. It does lack the output buffer, like a real OCD used to, so it has that issue with vol jumps unless you follow it in your chain with a buffered pedal (I use a buffered delay to counter the OCD's problems in this area). Although the MXR Double-Double OD comes really damn close, too. It just doesn't have the same "feel" to it - not as "open", but that may be due to running it at 9V and I always put 18V into my OCD. I actually like the asymmetrical clipping error in the Joyo Ult Drive for playing live - a bit more clarity comes through it. Plus asymmetry creates those 2nd (or is it 3rd) order harmonics that the earbone likes. Get a Kmise. Freaking awesome. But if you need a mini OCD clone that can be customized for different amps, try the Valeton Tube Refiner. It has a Bass control, which is helpful for dialing into different amp types. It can also run on 18V. And it may have an output buffer. It sounds more like the OCD v1.4 to my ears.

[@FretLevelMidnight]

@@AndrewLewisHowe Interesting, do you know if it's possible or if it wouldn't be too hard to add an output buffer to the pedal if you were to mod it?

[@AndrewLewisHowe]

@@FretLevelMidnight Probably not too hard, but I say to just use a pedal. It doesn't have to be directly after it. You just need one toward the end to push the signal down the long cable run to the amp. That's where the signal loss occurs.

[@suggo3326]

Its a great pedal however I have to agree with the tone pot assessment. Once it goes past noon it does come alive and then you can get some awesome tones out of it. Great review by the way.

[@BudgetPedalChap]

It is definitively worth a go for the price for sure. It's not my go to for everything but it is useful

[@erifkind]

It’s worth a mod. Clearly if it wasn’t so cheap they would have been more attentive to pot choices, etc. but it does sound very usable.

[@BudgetPedalChap]

Yeah, it's by no means a bad sound and I could happily get something useable to do a gig with or whatever, but as you say, it just feels like with a little more attention to detail, it could have been a great pedal.

[@kimmolingonheimo]

Man, I forgot how good n versatile this pedal is, used to use it for darkish Jazz when young, nowadays Im still after those dark Jazzy tones, ha ha! getting one used for 20€s, ( I recall one has to know how to use this pedal, tweaking is my middle name!)

[@BudgetPedalChap]

It's got more to it than people give it credit, for sure 👍

[@mmpy44]

I have one, and I use boss sd1 to boost it for solo.🤩👍👍👍👍

[@BudgetPedalChap]

The sd1 is a great pedal, I could see it working well to boost this

[@blamingfish432]

Would this be a good option to boost an HM-2 on the cheap?

[@BudgetPedalChap]

That would be a whole ton of gain. I can't say for sure as I don't have anything hm2 flavored, but these can be picked up for so little second hand that it might be worth just taking a punt.

[@zapruder2k]

Not for me that one. I wouldn't say it's offensive or anything as there's clearly plenty of useable sounds in it but it's just a bit bland. Also if it's ocd style you're looking for at a budget I don't think they could ever really compete with the ehx glove which is just great and only like £60. Great vid as always though mate, keep em coming

[@BudgetPedalChap]

I think you're bang on. It's got some decent sound in it, but it doesn't quite excel at any of them. I did own a glove at some point and it weren't bad, I might have to revisit it again...

[@VOORHEES27]

You know all the parts of songs I know. Lol

[@BudgetPedalChap]

I do fall into some old classics every so often 😂😂😂

[@felipecollazos9422]

The guitar it's a Stratocaster?

[@BudgetPedalChap]

Essentially yes, it is a variax standard with three single coils.

[@felipecollazos9422]

@@BudgetPedalChap thanks

[@baconbits828]

Dumb question, but I bought one, plugged it in, no power. I troubleshooted everything and was convinced that it was the pedal since everything else worked for me. Got it exchanged, but now the new one doesn't receive any power either. Do this pedal require a 9v battery even if it's plugged in for some reason or am I just missing something?

[@BudgetPedalChap]

That's very odd. These don't require any special treatment, usually just dc barrel jack in and 1/4 inch jacks in either end and it works. The only thing I could suggest is checking that the dc cable powers other pedals to see if the error doesn't lie there or checking if it is pushed in far enough to make contact. Fingers crossed you get it sorted, I've owned 4 of these and haven't had an issue with one yet, so I would be surprised if you had 2 defective ones.

[@baconbits828]

@@BudgetPedalChap So this requires both 1/4 jacks to have a cable in to power up? I didn't try that just because my other pedals don't require that. I'll give it a shot! Thanks for the response!

[@BudgetPedalChap]

@@baconbits828 some pedals require that you have the jacks plugged in to complete the circuit. I'm not entirely sure but this may be one of them

[@baconbits828]

@@BudgetPedalChap That was the issue. Thanks for your help!

[@BudgetPedalChap]

@@baconbits828 no problem, have fun 👍

[@francis3623]

40 seconds to turning on that pedal

[@BudgetPedalChap]

Correct, yes 👍